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Savannah Catholics honor Pope Benedict in Mass

Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News The processional makes its way down the aisle during a noon Mass in Thanksgiving for the Papacy of Pope Benedict XVI Thursday at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News Bishop Emeritus J. Kevin Boland proudly shows off a cross given to him by Pope Benedict XVI before the start of a Mass in Thanksgiving for the Papacy of Pope Benedict XVI Thursday at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News Parishioners offer their prayers during a noon Mass in Thanksgiving for the Papacy of Pope Benedict XVI Thursday at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

Pope Benedict XVI opens his arms during his final general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI basked in an emotional sendoff Wednesday at his final general audience in St. Peter's Square, recalling moments of "joy and light" during his papacy but also times of great difficulty. He also thanked his flock for respecting his decision to retire. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News Fr. Doug Clark gives the homily during a noon Mass in Thanksgiving for the Papacy of Pope Benedict XVI Thursday at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News A photograph of Pope Benedict XVI is displayed under glass on top of a desk as the recessional makes its way out of the Cathedral following a Mass in Thanksgiving for the Papacy of Pope Benedict XVI Thursday afternoon.

Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer leads the congregation during a noon Mass in Thanksgiving for the Papacy of Pope Benedict XVI Thursday at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News Bishop Emeritus J. Kevin Boland talks with Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer before a noon Mass in Thanksgiving for the Papacy of Pope Benedict XVI, whose photo is displayed under desktop glass, Thursday at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

Hundreds of the faithful poured into the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on Thursday afternoon to honor the service of Pope Benedict XVI.

The special Mass of Thanksgiving took place as the first pope to resign in 600 years prepared for retirement in the hills south of Rome. It was a bittersweet moment for the Most Rev. Gregory J. Hartmayer, who told worshippers the 85-year-old Benedict had appointed him Bishop of Savannah.

“I have that memory that will be with me for the rest of my life, and his name will always be on my heart because of his trust and gracious hospitality to me as a member of the College of Bishops,” said Hartmayer, celebrant of Thursday’s Mass.

“It is also a happy day, a day when I think Benedict XVI can go to the pope’s residence in Castel Gandolfo and sit in a chair, sigh a sigh of relief and say, ‘I’ve run the race.’ And he can rest, pray, reflect and support all of us by his prayerfulness as the pope emeritus.”

Hartmayer, in a letter to his priests, had written that all parishes within the 90-county Diocese of Savannah should celebrate Mass for Benedict on Thursday.

It was truly a historic occasion, Hartmayer reminded worshippers, who included students from nearby St. Vincent’s Academy, an all-girls Catholic school. Hartmayer said Benedict’s name would no longer be mentioned at Mass during the Eucharistic Prayer.

Thursday’s homily was delivered by the Rev. Douglas Clark of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Port Wentworth, who said Benedict had displayed humility by voluntarily stepping down in acknowledgement of his own frailty.

Clark read from the Book of Matthew, in which Jesus called his apostle, Peter, the rock on which His church would be built. In Catholicism, popes are regarded as successors of St. Peter.

With the throne of St. Peter declared empty, Hartmayer said, it’s up to the College of Cardinals — recognizable by their red vestments — to gather in the coming days in a conclave to elect a new pope.

“We wait for the prophecy of the Holy Spirit to give us the name of the new pope,” Hartmayer said.

Outside following the service, friends Rebecca Waranowitz, 28, and Melinda Ribnek, 27, watched their young children play on the steps of the cathedral. They also discussed their personal feelings about Benedict and the future of the Catholic church.

“I think he was great,” Waranowitz said. “He was definitely on the conservative side, but I think we need that in today’s world.”

Ribnek praised Benedict’s well-known scholarly approach to the papacy, but she dismissed the ongoing debates over Benedict’s policies and administration of the Vatican. The church is guided by the Holy Spirit through the pope, she said, and therefore believers should faithfully follow his example.

Following Benedict’s resignation announcement on Feb. 11, students at St. Vincent’s discussed his decision in religion classes, said student body president Lauren McCarthy. The 18-year-old said she feels Benedict made the right decision.

“People may look down upon him for stepping down, but I kind of agree that if he doesn’t feel fit for the job, then he really does need to let somebody else take over so they can be in charge of the Church,” she said.

Though inclement weather deterred a planned trip to Savannah on Tuesday, friends Carol O’Brien and Sue Alaimo, both of Hilton Head, said they were fortunate to arrive Thursday in time for Mass at St. John the Baptist.

“I think we were so blessed to have him in our lives for such a short time,” O’Brien said of Benedict. “It is real humbling of himself, just as they said in the sermon.”

Many of those at Thursday’s Mass said they believe a new pope will be elected sooner than later.

In the eyes of Ribnek, the ideal new leader would be someone in the mold of the late Pope John Paul II, admired for his charisma. Waranowitz, her friend, agreed.

“He was so personable and such a figure of unity even among churches, yet at the same time he was very true to the teachings (of the Catholic church),” said Waranowitz.

“But at the same time we have to trust that God will find what the Church needs at this time,” Ribnek said.